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Williams v. California (2000)

Eliezer Williams with Schwarzenneger at the signing in 2004

On May 17, 2000 – the 46th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education – Public Advocates, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and other civil rights organizations, along with Morrison & Foerster LLP, filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of public school students against the state of California. The case argued the state and its agencies were denying thousands of California students their fundamental right to an education under the California constitution by failing to provide them with the basic tools necessary for that education. On August 13, 2004, the lawsuit was settled, marking a major victory for students’ rights.

The Williams suit highlighted thousands of classrooms lacking sufficient student textbooks; school facilities that were overcrowded, in disrepair, and unhealthy for students; and the lack of fully prepared teachers in California public schools. The case was based on two principles: 1) The state of California is responsible to ensure all students have the basic resources they need to learn—prepared teachers, sufficient textbooks and instructional materials, and clean and safe facilities; and 2) All students have a fundamental right to an education that must be provided to them on equal terms. The case argued California’s public education system failed on both of these counts: it did not give all students the necessary educational resources and it allowed unequal opportunities to persist across schools. Williams called on the state to create standards for basic educational materials, a system of management and oversight, and accountability so schools live up to these standards. The nearly $1 billion settlement embodies the central principles of the plaintiffs’ case and includes significant changes to California’s education laws:

  • The Williams Settlement Legislation established new standards and accountability mechanisms to ensure that all California public school students have qualified teachers, textbooks and instructional materials, and safe and healthy schools, including the creation of the Williams complaint process that is still used today to report and correct violations. See here for more information on how to file a complaint.
  • The state also created a regular formal monitoring process to ensure that high-need schools are providing adequate learning conditions for students, regardless of whether a complaint is filed. Find out if your school is eligible for Williams monitoring. 
  • Public Advocates is still actively enforcing these fundamental rights through follow-up litigation–primarily through Williams complaints–partnering with parents and students who are concerned with the conditions of their own schools.

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